On how easily he has embraced retirement: Dirk Nowitzki: Truthfully it’s been a enjoyable adjustment. I actually performed till I used to be virtually 41 years outdated. I feel I gave my complete physique and my thoughts to the game and there was simply nothing left to present there. And I used to be completely fantastic strolling away. I might really feel that, I feel, not solely the final season however in all probability the second-to-last season already with clearly some well being points. And my final season immediately I missed the primary 30 video games with irritation on my ankle. So it was simply … it was getting tremendous laborious to maintain up and and I felt that mentally the stuff that I needed to undergo simply to play video games the tip — it was simply no enjoyable anymore. So I used to be able to stroll away. I actually was. I used to be able to get pleasure from my household. And my dream was all the time to point out the children the world, journey and see locations. As individuals know, my spouse’s from Sweden and Kenya. Clearly I’m from Germany. So I wished [their three children] to get pleasure from life and get to know completely different cultures and languages. I’ve received to say: It’s been a enjoyable couple years. However I additionally suppose, from yr to yr, that the curiosity in basketball grew once more. I think the first two years [of retirement], I barely watched. When I was traveling, I didn’t check the scores — not even Mavs games. I just needed to get away. Now I’m clearly awaiting positive all of the Mavs’ video games after I can. I’m watching extra once more. And my children are additionally beginning to watch extra and get excited concerning the NBA, in order that’s additionally pure for me to sit down there with them and watch much more once more. -via marcstein.substack.com / January 7, 2025
